Upcoming Events

National | Crime and Justice

no events match your query!

New Events

National

no events posted in last week

Blog Feeds

Public Inquiry
Interested in maladministration. Estd. 2005

offsite link RTEs Sarah McInerney ? Fianna Fail supporter? Anthony

offsite link Joe Duffy is dishonest and untrustworthy Anthony

offsite link Robert Watt complaint: Time for decision by SIPO Anthony

offsite link RTE in breach of its own editorial principles Anthony

offsite link Waiting for SIPO Anthony

Public Inquiry >>

Human Rights in Ireland
A Blog About Human Rights

offsite link UN human rights chief calls for priority action ahead of climate summit Sat Oct 30, 2021 17:18 | Human Rights

offsite link 5 Year Anniversary Of Kem Ley?s Death Sun Jul 11, 2021 12:34 | Human Rights

offsite link Poor Living Conditions for Migrants in Southern Italy Mon Jan 18, 2021 10:14 | Human Rights

offsite link Right to Water Mon Aug 03, 2020 19:13 | Human Rights

offsite link Human Rights Fri Mar 20, 2020 16:33 | Human Rights

Human Rights in Ireland >>

Lockdown Skeptics

The Daily Sceptic

offsite link Women?s Team with Five Male Players Wins Football Competition After One Male Player ?Broke Opponent?... Thu Mar 28, 2024 19:30 | Will Jones
A women?s football competition has been branded misogynist after it was won by a team featuring five transgender players, amid accusations one had broken an opponent?s leg in two places.
The post Women’s Team with Five Male Players Wins Football Competition After One Male Player “Broke Opponent’s Leg” ? But Teams Who Refuse to Play Against Them Are Branded “Discriminatory” appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

offsite link Further Evidence Gaza Casualty Numbers Are Fake Thu Mar 28, 2024 17:36 | Will Jones
The evidence that the Gaza casualty numbers from the Hamas-run Health Ministry (now over 32,000) are wildly inflated continues to mount. Mark Zlochin looks at what the proportions of male and female UNRWA workers tell us.
The post Further Evidence Gaza Casualty Numbers Are Fake appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

offsite link Don?t Be Fooled by the ?Britain is Growing? Fairytales Thu Mar 28, 2024 15:22 | David Craig
Don't be fooled by the 'Britain is growing' fairytales, says David Craig. Any 'growth' is accounted for by the hike in the benefits bill and in civil servants' pay and a heap of other unproductive deficit spending.
The post Don’t Be Fooled by the ‘Britain is Growing’ Fairytales appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

offsite link Climate: The Movie is a Perfect Cure for Climate Anxiety Thu Mar 28, 2024 13:00 | Toby Young
Climate Change: The Movie, the new film by Martin Durkin, should be shown at every school in the country to disabuse anxious young people of the idea that we're in the midst of a 'climate emergency'.
The post Climate: The Movie is a Perfect Cure for Climate Anxiety appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

offsite link The WHO?s Plot to Seize Power Over Nation States in Future Pandemics Must Be Stopped Thu Mar 28, 2024 11:12 | Will Jones
The World Health Organisation is gearing up to persuade the world's governments to sign a new pandemic treaty that would allow the unelected body to seize power over nation states in future pandemics, warns Matt Ridley.
The post The WHO’s Plot to Seize Power Over Nation States in Future Pandemics Must Be Stopped appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

Lockdown Skeptics >>

Voltaire Network
Voltaire, international edition

offsite link Moscow attack reminds us of the links between Islamists and Kiev's fundamentalis... Tue Mar 26, 2024 06:57 | en

offsite link Failure to assist a people in danger of genocide, by Hassan Hamadé Tue Mar 26, 2024 06:32 | en

offsite link Yugoslavia March 24, 1999 The Founding War of the New Nato, by Manlio Dinucci Sun Mar 24, 2024 05:15 | en

offsite link France opposes Russian Korean-style peace project in Ukraine Sat Mar 23, 2024 11:11 | en

offsite link Voltaire, International Newsletter N°79 Fri Mar 22, 2024 11:40 | en

Voltaire Network >>

Rate-Your Solicitor website closed down

category national | crime and justice | news report author Thursday February 02, 2012 02:26author by Justin Morahan Report this post to the editors

Judge's criticism of the Internet

The website www.rate-your-solicitor.com. has been shut down without trace.


I was not present in court when the order was made and the following article is based on reports in the Irish Examiner and Irish Independent of 1 February and on the Wikipedia article on the Law Society of Ireland. My criticism is subject to the truth of these reports.

According to the Irish Examiner and the Irish Independent, Mr Justice Michael Peart made the order on Tuesday 31 January 2012. He granted mandatory injunctions, pending the full hearing of the action, against Mr John Gill, of Drumline, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co Clare, Ms Vogelaar, of Parklands, Westport, Co Mayo, and Dolster Inc, the website host. This was on foot of a defamation action taken by Solicitor Damien Tansey against all three defendants.

The orders required them to terminate the operation of the website. They were also ordered to remove various material posted about Mr Tansey and refrain from publishing "further defamatory material" about him. Mr Gill and Ms Vogelaar denied the claims against them.

I have been in Mr Justice Peart's court on many occasions with various people, and on all such occasions I have been impressed with what I perceived to be his sense of fairness and humanity.

I have also looked at the website in question from time to time and have noticed that comments both for and against the named solicitors were published. Allegations were made, it is true. Some of these were of a most serious nature. Outlandish and defamatory some of them, one might say, if they were not true. However, some of them were later accepted as true in the Irish Courts and a number of the solicitors who had first been named on the site were later struck off the register of solicitors by other orders of the High Court.

I am disappointed that Mr Justice Peart made an order to shut down this website. At my last viewing, it contained many complaints against numerous solicitors, even some who later became Judges. Most of these were not tested by the Courts.

I leave aside the Tansey case which, as I understand it from the reports, is still sub judice.

But how, in respect of the complaints against solicitors other than Mr Tansey, could Judge Peart determine that these complaints were untrue? Why, I wonder, was it not possible for Judge Peart to order that the material written about Mr Tansey, and only that material, be removed? Why did he shut down the whole website? Mr Tansey hardly had locus standi on behalf of all who were complained about on the website?

Of course it is wrong to publish defamatory material. But to publish fair comment has always been the right of the reporter.

According to one report, the Judge also made general comments about the internet to the effect that it has facilitated an easy, inexpensive and instant means of "allowing unscrupulous persons or ill-motivated malcontents to vent their anger and grievances against people, where their allegations are patently untrue and unreasonable". He added that damage caused could in some extreme cases lead to suicide.

The entry in Wikipedia about the Law Society of Ireland contains a paragraph with a description of the website that to me appears closer to the truth than that contained in the the stinging criticism of Judge Peart. The pertinent account is as follows:

"A special Committee of the Law Society has said it was utterly appalled at reports that some solicitors had double-charged for work done for victims of institutional abuse.
In a lecture given to students in Cork, the Master of the High Court Edmund Honohan SC advocated independent regulation of the profession saying that no spinning by the Society could disguise the systemic failure of self-regulation. He said most solicitors must now realise they had been let down, not just by a few rogue negligent solicitors, but by the Law Society itself.
A website launched in February 2006 by the Victims of the Legal Profession, www.Rate-Your-Solicitor.com has become an increasingly popular place for people to vent their frustrations with solicitors.

The Society has investigated a number of solicitors whose actions have damaged both their clients and the reputation of the profession. The most high-profile cases were those of Michael Lynn and Thomas Byrne, who were both struck off by the President of the High Court following investigation by the Society. The two Dublin solicitors, who were fined €2 million and €1 million respectively, may have cost financial institutions more than €100 million. The Law Society’s director general, Ken Murphy, has described as “incomprehensible” the length of time it has taken the Garda to investigate complaints against the two.The Law Society’s compensation fund was almost halved in value because of the number of claims against solicitors and the Law Society’s President John D Shaw said "I’d have to concede that the profession has suffered significant professional damage, but the vast majority of solicitors do their best, and I think they have been very let down by the few".The Law Society had to pay the €100,000 costs of a Supreme Court appeal it brought against two Dublin solicitors who admitted operating secret accounts to evade tax in May 2009." (Wikipedia)


Judge Peart, in his reference to the danger of suicide, did not consider the danger to the victims on the same website who, according to their accounts, have had their legal affairs messed up, their lands or property stolen, by rogue solicitors. If any of their accounts were true, and the "justice system" has failed them, and he has labelled them by implication as "unscrupulous, "malcontents" and now they have been deprived of a public forum in which "to vent their frustrations", their situations might well be considered "extreme cases". But sadly, this humane and good judge has overlooked their predicament while he expresses concern for other humans who just happen to be members of the legal profession.

How the mighty have fallen.

author by Tpublication date Thu Feb 02, 2012 22:52author address author phone Report this post to the editors

It would seem that this site had provided a very valuable service in terms of its civil function and to addressing probably belately some of the cases of solictor abuse that subsequently were dealt with when these solictors were struck off the register.

It is a bit strange then for the judge to shutdown this only source of oxygen however imperfect it was that gave some life to the profession by creating the space for questions to be asked. And this is what a lot of these things are about. They create the space for things to be discussed.

Clearly the when the libel laws are very strong society can lose out, but when they are too weak many individuals loose out and the middle ground is very grey. Perhaps there is some other mechanism to deal with it.

author by W. Finnertypublication date Fri Feb 03, 2012 10:50author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Writing as a person who has attended a number of the public meetings held by Mr John Gill and his close associates, the impression I got was that all of the several people I spoke with at these meetings were entirely genuine; that they all had very good personal reasons to be deeply concerned about the extremely serious forms of wrongdoing which continue to take place in the legal professions of both the Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland; and, the very worst of which is carried out (as in my own case, and as I see things) with impunity: of the kind that directly causes C-PTSD injuries (i.e. Complex-Post Traumatic Stress Disorder injuries) of the sort that are primarily caused by the overwhelming sense of helplessness (to ever be able to right things) which the targets of such abuse are subjected to, and have to live with year after year (in my own case approximately 10 years to date).

The "keystone" of corruption:
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/78846#comment171788

And, every bit as bad, if not worse -- i.e. more difficult to cope with -- is the stance taken by very senior members of the medical profession regarding the matter of how the legal professions of Ireland are being allowed to commit crime with impunity: in a very wide range of ways, and with no sign of any end in sight (that I know of) to this particularly insidious and socially destructive form of wrongdoing: which I strongly suspect causes many times more suicides among the targets of the abuses in question, than it does among the perpetrators.

Related link:
http://www.humanrightsireland.com/DrAnneJeffers/12Septe...l.htm

author by Joe Ferris - VLPSpublication date Sat Feb 04, 2012 14:09author email j.ferris3 at ntlworld dot comauthor address 14 Alanvale Crescent Kilfennan Estate Derry Northern Ireland BT47 5SJauthor phone 07715140648Report this post to the editors

Reply to Indymedia regarding VLPS website being shut down.’To whoever it may Concern’

I agree 100% with Mr. Finnerty.

I have been working as a mental health nurse from September 1969 and at present I am employed as Nurse Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing at University of Ulster, School of Nursing, Magee Campus, L/Derry.

I have written extensively especially in writing articles in the Forum of the Rate-Your-Solicitor website. I have written these articles from newspaper reports mainly regarding wrongdoing by members of the so-called legal professions in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The Legal Corruption involved in the destruction of my ancesteral home near Killyclogher, Omagh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland.

The brief details of the wrongdoing by solicitors in my own case are as follows:-

My late father Charles Ferris (1916 to 2005) was deprived and cheated out of the ownership of his family home ‘Folio 2974 County Tyrone, Northern Ireland’ by a ‘False Oath/False Legal Instrument’ which was processed on the 18th May 1994 by Solicitor, Ms. Christine Meyler, (of R.H.O'Connor & Co. Solicitors, Omagh now defunct) and now in business with her husband Mr. Kevin McGuigan as (Meyler-McGuigan, Solicitors, Omagh).

LAND REGISTRY: ‘Folio 2974 County Tyrone ‘Right Hand’ not knowing what the ‘Left Hand’ was doing.

1. My late father Charles Ferris (deceased 9th October 2005) and I were ‘Completely Misled by a Land Registry advertisement in Ulster Herald Newspaper, dated Saturday 4th October 1986.

2. A ‘Legal Loophole’ or ‘Legal Corruption’ at ‘Land Registry’ allowed ‘Solicitors’ with special ‘Crooked Legal Inside Knowledge’ of the ‘Legal Process’ at ‘Land Registry’ to ‘Circumvent’ a ‘County Court Order’ and obtain an ‘Invalid Registration’ of ‘Folio 2974’ on 3rd June 1994.

3. LAND REGISTRY Folio 2974 County Tyrone Application No. 57340 Lands at Mullaghmore.

4. [Any person objecting to compliance with the application should furnish details in writing of his objection, and the grounds of such objection to the Registrar of Titles ….. quoting the above Folio and Application Numbers within 21 days of the publication of this notice. Unless an objection with grounds is so lodged, registration may be effected pursuant to the application. D.P. Pope Deputy Registrar of Titles…]

5. County Court hearing before Judge Babbington at Omagh Court on Tuesday 30th May 1989. Order Section 53 application dismissed on merit. Validation of the ‘Written Objection’ and ‘Affidavit’ Lodged at Land Registry on behalf of my late father Charles Ferris.

6. 18th May 1994 ‘False Oath of Administration’ processed by Solicitor Christine Meyler of R. H. O’Connor & Co. Omagh and Grant of Administration to estate of Anne Ferris obtained on 26th May 1994.

7. Tuesday 31st May 1994 ‘illegal Assent’ for Transfer of Ownership of Folio 2974 (signed by applicants whose Section 53 application was ‘Dismissed’ at Omagh Court on 30th May 1994) before Solicitor Christine Meyler of R. H. O’Connor & Co. Omagh.

8. Friday 3rd June 1994 ‘Invalid’ registration of ‘Folio 2974’ by Land Registry in complete disregard of ‘County Court Order dated 30th May 1989’ and ‘Validated Written Objection’ and ‘Affidavit’ Lodged at Land Registry on behalf of my late father Charles Ferris.

9. May 15th 2000 death of my uncle Joseph Ferris. I spent from £8,000 to £10,000 in emergency repairs to Ancestral Home on Folio 2974.

10. June 30th 2000, I was intimidated from the property by family members of my late uncle, who told RUC that they were acting on instructions of solicitor Christine Meyler of R. H. O’Connor & Co. Omagh.

11. May 2005 County Court proceedings issued by solicitor Christine Meyler based on her claims to ownership arising from the ‘Friday 3rd June 1994 ‘Invalid’ registration of ‘Folio 2974’ by Land Registry.

12. February 2007, I discovered that Solicitor Sean Magee of D. Rodgers & Co solicitors, (who was acting on my behalf had a criminal conviction of suspended jail sentence in 2000 for theft from estates of dead clients). Resulting in my complete lack of confidence in D. Rodgers & Co solicitors.

13. At Dungannon County Court in February 2007 at hearing before Judge David McFarland, I issued a letter of ‘Come-Off-Record’ to D. Rodgers & Co solicitors and have appeared as ‘Litigant in Person’ assisted by Victims of the Legal Profession Society (VLPS) in all subsequent court cases.

14. February 2009, Counsel for solicitor Christine Meyler, Mr. Dermot Fee QC and Mr. Gary McHugh BL conceded that my late father Charles Ferris was entitled to full ownership of Folio 2974 from the death of his father in 1945.

15. November 2009, I again spent approx £10,000 in emergency repairs to Ancestral Home on Folio 2974, e.g. double glazing, roof repairs and replacement of all guttering, etc.

16. February 4th 2010, I had an appearance in the High Court Belfast and only after this hearing was I informed by my brother Brian Ferris, who discovered that our Ancestral Home on Folio 2974 had been completely destroyed by an ‘Arson Attack’ in the early morning of February 4th 2010.

17. In a ‘Nutshell’ the fact that my late father and I as laypersons were ‘Completely Misled by the Land Registry advertisement in Ulster Herald Newspaper, dated Saturday 4th October 1986. Deputy Registrar of Titles, Mr. John Gibson stated to my late father, my brother Charles and myself that he, (John Gibson) ‘accepted that there had been fraudulent practise in the registration of Folio 2974 in June 1994’. My late father and I were like ‘lambs to the slaughter’.

18. The ‘Legal Loophole’ and or ‘Legal Corruption’ at ‘Land Registry’ in the period of May 1989 to June 1994 has thus been a ‘Prime Factor’ in the ongoing ‘Fraud and Legal Corruption’ and the ‘Latest Criminal Action’ in the early morning of February 4th 2010, when my ‘Ancestral Home on Folio 2974’ was completely destroyed by an ‘Arson Attack’

Hoping this brief account indicates the necessity to have the VLPS website reinstated. Regards Joe Ferris, 14 Alanvale Creacent, Kilfennan Estate, L/Derry, N. Ireland, BT47 5SJ

author by pat cpublication date Sat Feb 04, 2012 15:12author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Thanks for that very detailed comment. I hope you eventually get justice.

author by Survivor - Victims of the Legal Profession .publication date Sat Feb 04, 2012 17:22author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Maybe the Victims of the Legal Profession , (V.L.P.S.) might consider the 'mole' who was sent in to infiltrate the Rys website , i have it on good authority the mole was in legal difficulties with a certain Liar , sorry, solicitor on the East Coast of Ireland who , along with A.nother member of the legal profession encouraged postings against a Judge & a Member of An Garda Siochana , both of whom were heading for the Hall of Shame , in actual fact the Garda had just been relegated to the hall of shame on Rys in place of the Liar , sorry , solicitor on the East Coast just before the website experienced difficulties which were then followed by information as to 'who is responsible' for what on Rys , information then 'considered' & used against the alleged moderator of the website, much to the delight of the un-named , ( for legal reasons ) members of the legal profession who then informed the mole to 'get lost' , strange happenings indeed in the pursuit of free speech in a so called democratic country .....

author by Paula-alias - Braynative publication date Sun Feb 05, 2012 00:08author address author phone Report this post to the editors

I can confirm that this man did put pressure on local people not to comment on the site and put fear in those who had.

author by Joe Ferris - VLPSpublication date Sun Feb 05, 2012 00:26author email j.ferris3 at ntlworld dot comauthor address 14 Alanvale Crescent Kilfennan Estate L/Derry Northern Ireland BT47 5SJauthor phone 07715140648Report this post to the editors

IRISH NEWS: Lawyer Stole From Dead 11/02/2000 by Staff Reporter
http://www.rate-your-solicitor.com/irishnews.htm date accessed Tuesday 29th June 2010.

A solicitor has been given a suspended jail term after admitting stealing almost £140,000 from the estates of dead clients.

Sean Magee, from Greenan Road in Newry, admitted the offences at Downpatrick Crown Court.

He was struck off by the Law Society when details of the fraud emerged in 1997.
A Society spokesman said Magee would have to reapply for entry but would face "considerable hurdles" if he ever considered practising again.

Magee, whose practice was based in Dunmurry, outside Belfast, pleaded guilty to three charges of theft.

Prosecuting counsel Ken McMahon QC told the court that Magee stole £74,000 from the estate of an elderly client named Patricia Murphy.

Magee, who was also forced to resign from his position as part-time chairman of the Independent Tribunals Service, claimed he had fulfilled the last will and testament of Ms Murphy by bequeathing the money to the Missionary Society of St Columba in Co Meath and the Salesians of Don Bosco.

However an investigation revealed he stole most of the money and gave only £7,000 to the charities.

The court also heard that Magee presented Ms Murphy’s family with a bill for over £5,000 for handling the estate.

The prosecution detailed how Magee stole more than £60,000 from the estate of another client, Eric Storey.

Magee was instructed to invest the money in an off-shore bank on the Isle of Man on behalf of a nephew who lived in New Zealand.

Instead all but £10,000 went towards Magee’s firm. The offences came to light in 1997 when an executor of the Murphy will noticed discrepancies.

In mitigation Magee’s counsel said all the money was paid back, with interest, within two months of the offences coming to light.

Magee, who was told he had betrayed the trust placed in him by clients, was sentenced to concurrent periods of two years imprisonment, suspended for three years on each count.]

PS. Here are the details, I discovered after searching the internet in 2007, that my solicitor Sean Magee, (working in the office of Rodgers & Co. Solicitors, Belfast) had been ‘Struck Off’ as follows:-

‘A solicitor has been given a suspended jail term after admitting stealing almost £140,000 from the estates of dead clients.’

After discovering the ‘False Oath/False Legal Instrument’ in December 2006, Solicitor Sean Magee, was my legal adviser and the stress I was subjected to was beyond belief as an offer of £8.4 million (eight million four hundred punds sterling) had been made for the land contained in Folio 2974 County Tyrone. I could not sign the contract due to the ‘Fraudulent Oath Document’ and my distress was compounded when I discovered that my solicitor Sean Magee had a criminal conviction.

Would all ordinary decent people, perhaps agree the fact that Solicitor Sean Magee was still working as a solicitor even after his criminal conviction in 2000 is proof and more proof that the so-called ‘Law Society’ in Northern Ireland, failed to protect the public? Regards Joe Ferris.

author by Joe Ferris - VLPSpublication date Sun Feb 05, 2012 01:39author email j.ferris3 at ntlworld dot comauthor address 14 Alanvale Crescent Kilfennan Estate L/Derry Northern Ireland BT47 5SJauthor phone 07715140648Report this post to the editors

Ex-solicitor on €52m bank fraud charges: The Irish Times - Saturday, February 4, 2012. CONOR LALLY, Crime Correspondent
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2012/0204....html date accessed Sunday 5th February 2012.

FORMER SOLICITOR Thomas Byrne, who was charged in December with stealing millions of euro of his clients’ money, has been charged with 50 additional offences of stealing and defrauding €52 million from financial institutions in the final years of the property boom.

The 45-year-old Dubliner is alleged to have fraudulently obtained mortgages, sometimes several on the same property, on his dealings with 20 properties.
His prosecution is one of the most high-profile since the collapse of the property market. It comes after a lengthy investigation by the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation.

Mr Byrne, who had a solicitor’s practice in Clondalkin, west Dublin, before he was struck off by the Law Society, has been granted bail and legal aid but has had to surrender his passport.

He will appear again before Dublin District Court in four weeks when the book of evidence will be served on him.

When brought before Judge John O’Neill yesterday the court was told Mr Byrne – of Walkinstown Road and Aungier Street, both Dublin, was facing 50 additional charges under the Theft and Fraud Offences Act.

He faces 14 counts of making false instruments, including deeds of transfer and assignments of properties; eight counts of using false instruments; nine charges of deception; and 21 theft charges relating to mortgages on more than 20 private residences across Dublin.

It is alleged he stole €52 million from National Irish Bank, IIB, Irish Nationwide Building Society, EBS, Anglo Irish Bank and Bank of Scotland from 2004 until September 2007.

Det Sgt Paschal Walsh told the court Mr Byrne made no comment in reply to each charge.]

Would all ordinary decent people perhaps agree, the Rate Your Solicitor website, needs to be re-instated forthwith so that details of rogue solicitors such as

‘..Thomas Byrne, who was charged in December with stealing millions of euro of his clients’ money, has been charged with 50 additional offences of stealing and defrauding €52 million from financial institutions.’

Can be exposed to the ‘strong disinfectant of day light’ and ‘public opinion’ to act as a:-

deterrent to all solicitors and also as a warning to members of the public to be vigilant in all dealings with solicitors so as to:-

be proactive and prevent ordinary decent people from becoming victims of legal problems and or crooked lawyers in the first place? Regards Joe Ferris

author by Survivor - Victims of the Legal Profession .publication date Sun Feb 05, 2012 09:00author address author phone Report this post to the editors

In reply to Mr Joe Ferris , of course the Rys website must be permitted to carry on with educating the people of Ireland about the conduct of members of the legal profession .

author by Survivor - Victims of the Legal Profession .publication date Sun Feb 05, 2012 11:54author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Paula , Bray native , your truthful posting says it all .

author by in replypublication date Sun Feb 05, 2012 12:30author address author phone Report this post to the editors

a website run by a small coterie of misguided individuals whose principle ideology is that if a legal decision goes against you, it can only be as a result of judicial corruption.

the closure of this website is good news for anyone with a legitimate grievance against a solicitor.

author by Survivor - Victims of the Legal Profession .publication date Sun Feb 05, 2012 13:35author address author phone Report this post to the editors

In reply , the website Rys is used to rate solicitors , it is not used to demonise solicitors . barristers or members of the legal profession overall . Victims have posted their comments against rogue members of the legal profession , but also included were comments published in favour of honest members of the legal profession of which there are thousands of members doing their utmost to honour the wishes of their clients according to the Rule of Law . Fact , not Fiction .

author by in replypublication date Sun Feb 05, 2012 14:00author address author phone Report this post to the editors

a court of this land has found that the operators of the site were responsible for "seriously defamatory" content to be published about individuals and that it facilitated "ill-motivated malcontents" to vent their grievances unfettered. that is a fact.

everyone including solicitors are entitled to be protected from such acts under the law.

author by Survivor - Victims of the Legal Profession .publication date Sun Feb 05, 2012 14:18author address author phone Report this post to the editors

On mainstream television programmes , which are on full view to the public , we have some programmes broadcast with the interest of the public at hand , ie , Crime Call , Rogue Builders , all with the intention of bringing about matters that Should interest the public , we have daily newspapers publishing articles in relation to Bankers who are under public scrutiny due to ongoing investigations which are in the public interest , i don't see the Judiciary closing down Rte or newspapers simply because they are practising their 'duty of care' to the public so i fail to understand why the website was ever the subject of court scrutiny in the first place .

author by Pampublication date Sun Feb 05, 2012 15:51author address author phone Report this post to the editors

I was a victim of the solicitor on the East Coast who we all know. He must have wanted the site closed

down as all the comments in which I read reflected the misery inflicted on my family where the liar tried to

wreck my husband's life to point he ended up in Newcastle. He even got to the kids so nobody here tell me

what these Scumbag solicitors are doing is right because my family was never right after the scum. He cant

even look anyone in the eye and pretends to me on the phone as he walks up the town-he needs more

Zanex.

author by in replypublication date Sun Feb 05, 2012 18:24author address author phone Report this post to the editors

when rte or national newspapers are found to have defamed people they always apologize and retract the offending comments.

i wonder whether the operators of the site will do the same or is it the case that you believe mr tansey is not entitled to an apology?

assuming that an actual order was made directing that the site be shut down, may be if the operators of were prepared to give undertakings that no further defamatory comments would be published those orders would not have been made. were they prepared to give such undertakings?

author by in replypublication date Sun Feb 05, 2012 18:38author address author phone Report this post to the editors

thank you for those posts by the way which prove my original point.

the decision could only have been arrived at as a result of judicial corruption and fraud!!

author by Survivor - Victims of the Legal Profession .publication date Sun Feb 05, 2012 19:00author address author phone Report this post to the editors

In Reply , thank you for your comment(s), as the situation moves along we will keep you and other interested parties informed .

author by in replypublication date Sun Feb 05, 2012 19:31author address author phone Report this post to the editors

you're very welcome

it really is best not to raise feeble argument in the face of overwhelming reason, so i commend you for falling on your sword.

author by Joe Ferris - VLPSpublication date Mon Feb 06, 2012 01:15author email J.ferris3 at ntlworld dot comauthor address 14 Alanvale Crescent Kilfennan Estate L/Derry, Northern Ireland, BT47 5SJauthor phone 07715140648Report this post to the editors

Hain memoir remarks 'unwarranted' BBC News. 26 January 2012 Last updated at 15:34

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-16737755 date accessed Monday 6th February 2012.

Northern Ireland's lord chief justice has criticised the former Secretary of State Peter Hain.

Sir Declan Morgan said that Mr Hain had made "unwarranted and wholly inappropriate remarks" about a decision made by a Belfast judge.

In his memoir, Mr Hain criticised the judges handling of a case regarding the appointment of an interim victims commissioner in 2006.

Mr Hain, now shadow Welsh secretary, was NI secretary from 2005 to 2007.

In his autobiography Outside In, he described Belfast High Court judge Sir Paul Girvan as having been "off his rocker" when he ruled on a judicial review challenge to the appointment of the commissioner.

As secretary of state, Mr Hain had, in 2005, appointed Bertha McDougall as an interim commissioner for victims of the troubles.

Mrs McDougall's appointment was appealed to the High Court, and Sir Paul Girvan ruled that it had been made for "improper political purpose".

In his book, Mr Hain claimed the decision had been "idiosyncratic" and "high-handed".

Northern Ireland's most senior legal figure described the comments as having the potential to amount to "an assault on the wider independence of the judiciary".

On Thursday, Sir Declan said: "There is a statutory obligation on those in ministerial office to uphold judicial independence.

"In this instance however, it is difficult to regard the remarks as anything other than undermining and unhelpful to the administration of justice in Northern Ireland."

The Northern Ireland Assembly's justice comittee is to invite Mr Hain to appear before them to give evidence on the review of judicial appointments in Northern Ireland.]

Would all ordinary decent people, perhaps agree, it is incredible that the ‘derogatory’ statement by former Northern Ireland Secretary of State Peter Hain, that

‘.. Belfast High Court judge Sir Paul Girvan as having been "off his rocker"

is not giving rise to Judge Sir Paul Girvan to ‘issue proceedings for defamation’ and seek an injunction to prevent publication of Peter Hain’s autiobiography?

Could it also be argued the Order of Judge Peart is also "idiosyncratic" and "high-handed" and also a ‘significant injustice’ of ‘collective punishment of all VLPS members’ given that ‘ Collective punishment is the punishment of a group of people as a result of the behavior of one or more other individuals’?

Could it be most forcefully argued that the Order by Judge Peart to close the Victims of the Legal Profession (VLPS) website is a breach of:-

[Article 10: Freedom of Expression

(1) Everyone has the right of freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without inference by public authority and regardless of frontiers. This Article shall not prevent States from requiring the licensing of broadcasting, television or cinema enterprises.]

and ‘Breaching the Human Rights’ all members of the VLPS (those living in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland or living in civilised countries throughout the world with internet access)

of our ‘Freedom of Expression’ as stated in the European Court of Human Rights and specifically Article 10? Joe Ferris

author by Survivor - Victims of the Legal Profession .publication date Mon Feb 06, 2012 04:31author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Love us or Loathe us ,the Victims of the Legal Profession , myself included , have stood our ground against all the odds , most have been humiliated , scorned , ridiculed beyond all reason when all we are trying to do is relay the truth to the many thousands of people around the Island of Ireland & further afield as far away across the Globe , i for my part am a genuine survivor of the legal profession scum who took me for granted when 'they' thought i would just walk away & forget , i may have walked away as is my prerogative given the simple separation involved , but forget , forget the cowardice involved , the behind the scenes hypocritical behaviour of the crooked liar , no thank you , it is my duty of care to write as is my duty of care to educate others who may have walked into the collusion i walked into , fore armed is fore warned & knowing i cant turn back the clock, what i do know is i have prevented many from dealing with a liar solicitor who is now , and i quote , ''walking up the main street pretending he's on his mobile fone '' , that's the reward the liar gets & the liar solicitor is indeed ashamed and sorry he ever took me on in the first place, he was my solicitor on one case prior to this marathon case but was beaten by a cheque book written by the 'opposition' who wrote blank cheques by the score to suit the 'storyline' has now become the dearest cheque he ever received in all his years as a 'solicitor' ;

author by in replypublication date Mon Feb 06, 2012 20:36author address author phone Report this post to the editors

....and the phoenix rises from the ashes.

ok so leaving aside the fact that you have unskillfully avoided answering my above questions (speaks volumes really) and leaving aside the fact that two of your posts were removed by the moderator (which makes you think that if the operators of the rys site had exercised a modicum of similar oversight, they wouldn't be the hot water their currently treading), ...... riddle me this.

as you got retribution and redress against a solicitor who you say did you wrong, surely the solicitor involved here is entitled to his redress and retribution having been vindicated in the courts?

i suspect the answer is no since the overriding philosophy of the rys site (and what has always been one of the fundamental flaws with it) is that "the law is right if it finds in my favour otherwise a conspiracy has been perpetrated against me by a gang of corrupt judges and lawyers who have nothing better to do".

it is inevitable that society will always comprise a small group of people who are so blinded by self righteousness they can never accept that they are wrong. what flows from this is that they then have to lay blame at other peoples door when the blame squarely rests with them. unfair yes, but a reality of the world we live in.

author by Survivor - Victims of the Legal Profession .publication date Mon Feb 06, 2012 21:35author address author phone Report this post to the editors

any solicitor whether they have a reply to submit may do so at their discretion , the reply may consist of an answer to a comment posted by a member of the public who may have had a good experience of a solicitor or indeed may have had a not so good experience of a solicitor,for every action there is a re-action as is the norm in this life , i do assume , rightly or wrongly you are referring to the www.Rate-your-solicitor.com website & its terms & conditions as laid out to potential postings in relation to comments submitted to the moderator ?

author by in replypublication date Mon Feb 06, 2012 22:57author address author phone Report this post to the editors

anyone who defames someone also has a right of reply. its called a defence. action/reaction. what's your point?

author by Martinpublication date Mon Feb 06, 2012 23:03author address author phone Report this post to the editors

In reply, you have no idea what one solicitor on the East Coast has done so I can only assume you are working for him as your replies echo his lingo.

author by in replypublication date Mon Feb 06, 2012 23:13author address author phone Report this post to the editors

because i've "no idea what one solicitor on the East Coast has done" i must be working for him???

martin, do you have anything of value to contribute here?

author by Martinpublication date Mon Feb 06, 2012 23:17author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Yes, the names on the headstones of the 18year old drug addicts he was so happy to represent.

author by Survivor - Victims of the Legal Profession .publication date Mon Feb 06, 2012 23:19author address author phone Report this post to the editors

If 'in reply' has no idea what the solicitor on the East Coast has done then obviously 'in reply' does not reside on the East Coast .

author by in replypublication date Mon Feb 06, 2012 23:35author address author phone Report this post to the editors

it would appear that we've reached the end of the one page rys manual on public relations and attempts at rational argument. we've come a short road people

author by Victimpublication date Mon Feb 06, 2012 23:39author address author phone Report this post to the editors

No 'in reply' u have never reached a victim but like ian paisley ul reach the end of the raod soon enough

author by Survivor - Victims of the Legal Profession .publication date Tue Feb 07, 2012 00:49author address author phone Report this post to the editors

unfortunately for some victims of the legal profession ,'rational argument' never entered the courtroom drama where the liar was concerned , all the liar wanted was his ego massaged by his many 'followers' who are now very much aware of the unethical tactics the liar used in his pursuit of glory during court cases he was involved in 'yesteryear' until the liar was taken on by survivor who used his pen to invite the liar & his followers to take another look , in graphic detail as to the liar and his history of ignoring his betters on the bench of justice to which the liar had applied for a case(s) to be heard on behalf of a client who paid him up front in the pursuit of an ending which the liar would not end simply because of the never ending stream of contradictions which the liar had failed to address during the long hot summer of the turbulent 80's , the only 'thing' the liar has finished is himself & well he is aware as is now his floundering former followers.

author by Joe Ferris - VLPSpublication date Tue Feb 07, 2012 01:44author email j.ferris3 at ntlworld dot comauthor address 14 alanvale Crescent Kilfennan Estate L/Derry Northern Ireland BT47 5SJauthor phone 07715140648Report this post to the editors

In reply; would you please comment as to the ‘merits’ and ‘demerits’ of the following?

[Justice Minister David Ford today announced radical measures to speed up the justice system in Northern Ireland. ~ Monday, 6 February 2012

http://www.dojni.gov.uk/index/media-centre/ford-announc...s.htm date accessed 06/02/2012

“A fundamental change on this scale cannot happen overnight and by committing to the introduction of statutory time limits within the lifetime of this Assembly

Minister of Justice David Ford MLA,Northern Ireland Department of Justice

In a statement (PDF 18 KB) to Assembly the Minister informed Members that he plans to overhaul the current process of bringing cases before court by introducing statutory time limits to tackle delays in the justice system. Initially these will apply to cases before the Youth Court and will be operational within the lifetime of this Assembly.

David Ford said: “Soon after becoming Justice Minister I committed to speeding up our criminal justice system.

“We have introduced a number of changes to tackle the problem of delay, but important as they are, I am not satisfied with the level of progress made.

“I am therefore moving ahead with the introduction of statutory time limits to speed up the justice system in Northern Ireland.”

The Minister accepted that it will take time for the agencies in the justice system to make the necessary changes to deliver this objective.

He said: “A fundamental change on this scale cannot happen overnight and by committing to the introduction of statutory time limits within the lifetime of this Assembly, I am providing the necessary space for all the organisations in the justice system to reform their case management processes.”

The Minister advised that the details of the scheme would be a matter for further development and widespread consultation.

He said: “I have asked the Criminal Justice Board to consider in detail how such time limits should work in Northern Ireland.

“The present situation cannot continue. Delay reduces public confidence, wastes the system’s resources and, worst of all, prolongs the ordeal of victims.”

The Minister noted that there may be some concern about the impact of statutory time limits on victims but confirmed that he would ensure that adequate protections were in place for victims.

He said: “I am clear that a crucial part of this work must be to safeguard the interests of victims in seeking justice and this will be an important part of the consultation process.”]

Could it be argued that Minister of Justice appears to be saying ‘loud and clear’ to the ‘Legal Eagles’ and very often ‘Birds of Prey’ in the Northern Ireland Justice system, “Time, ladies and gentlemen, please stop this ‘white-collar-robbery’ of the ‘legal aid system’?

“Time’ to stop your blatant ‘time-wasting’ and ‘white-collar-robbery’ from the public purse? J.F.

author by W. Finnertypublication date Tue Feb 07, 2012 07:26author address author phone Report this post to the editors

All politicians and judges should in future be limited to two terms: one in office, and one in prison.

Related Link: http://www.humanrightsireland.com/MEPs/6February2012/Email.htm
author by in replypublication date Tue Feb 07, 2012 19:09author address author phone Report this post to the editors

survivor - i've laid out some of the fundamental flaws with the rys site and you've proved incapable of forming anything near a reasoned response to them. the purpose of threads like this is to stimulate debate. its not a forum for people to stick cotton wool in their ears, chest thump and adopt the attitude "i'm right if i shout louder than the next person". the place for that nonsense was rys. if you wish to engage on the above points, please do so otherwise, stay on the side lines.

joe ferris- i appreciate the above entry. it is off topic though so if you want to set up another thread i'd be happy to join the fray.

in one of your earlier posts you mention the right to freedom of expression. qualified freedom of speech is guaranteed under the constitution. the right to a good name is also a right which the state is bound to protect. i don't think it would be in anyone interest to allow a situation where someone who publishes grossly defamatory and abusive language can automatically hide behind the right to freedom of speech. it would make the law of defamation redundant and offer no redress victims.

author by Survivor - Victims of the Legal Profession .publication date Tue Feb 07, 2012 20:14author address author phone Report this post to the editors

in reply , what more would you wish to 'debate' , if you doubt my ability to enter into a debate i'm afraid 'tis you that sits on the sidelines writing scant remarks in the vain hope of we 'survivors' educating you , i for one have been through the Liar tactics & i for one did not renege on my responsibilities to , let us say ' inform ' the general public of the greed of the Liar & his total disregard for his Betters who sit on the Bench of Justice , a story worthy of greatness and achievement in the years to come brought to the notice of the Public much to the shock / horror of the Liar & his suited & booted buddies & their collective 'social circle' on the East Coast of the Island of Ireland by the great Survivor without fear or favour but with other potential clients of the Liar in mind , less they should suffer , needlessly may i add , to the tactics of the Liar & his 'clique' for ever and a day . the Liar had every opportunity to respond , by summon's if necessary , however, the Liar chose not to respond fearing further retribution by his Betters on the Bench of Justice as to the Liar disregarding his Betters ,as before, in those turbulent 80s which have long gone as we know , had the Liar carried out his duty of care, as was Ordered by his Betters on the Bench of Justice, in their response to my applications' then perhaps today he would not fear the TRUTH which has come back to , let us say , reside with him , forever and a day .

author by in replypublication date Tue Feb 07, 2012 20:58author address author phone Report this post to the editors

let me break down for you as simply as i can;

"what more would you wish to 'debate'" - ah the topic of this thread. thats why we're here.

'if you doubt my ability to enter into a debate" - i do. you haven't entered a debate.

"....we 'survivors' educating you...." - on the points raised by me above i hope? (he asked optimistically)

"i for one have been through etc etc " - well done but unfortunately we're not here to back slap you on your victorious achievements

author by Survivor - Victims of the Legal Profession .publication date Tue Feb 07, 2012 22:18author address author phone Report this post to the editors


in reply . as one who went though a mirage of ridiculous unscrupulous erratic unlawful behaviour by the Liar & his suited & booted buddies & their clique i think you actually quite admire the great Survivor, who , may i add stood my ground in the face of such, as outlined ....
Of course the Liar himself would , given his present fiscal circumstances today coupled with the Liar losing business hand over fist would tend to shout aloud, to no avail, had the Liar carried out his duty of care then perhaps the Liar may be receiving an annual Christmas greetings card from the great Survivor instead he sweats upon more mail being delivered to his many clique members where upon his clique may cast an eye of displeasure upon being invited to view for themselves the truthful comments, posted , in www.Rate-your-solicitor.com

author by Joe Ferris - VLPSpublication date Tue Feb 07, 2012 23:32author email j.ferris3 at ntlworld dot comauthor address 14 Alanvale Crescent Kilfennan Estate L/Derry Northern Ireland BT47 5SJauthor phone 07715140648Report this post to the editors

Would ‘In Reply’ please comment regarding this tragedy?

Sex abuse victim, 16, 'hanged herself after barrister's legal blunder caused trial to collapse': Daily Mail. By Rebecca Evans, Claire Ellicott, Tom Kelly and Rosie Taylor Last updated at 8:20 PM on 7th February 2012

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2097625/Sex-abu....html date accessed Tuesday 7th February 2012.

David Jones breached strict legal guidelines on witness contact when he met Dana Baker at his house for lunch

A teenage rape victim hanged herself after her court case collapsed when her barrister blundered by holding a pre-trial meeting at his home.

Prosecutor David Jones breached strict legal guidelines on witness contact when he met Dana Baker at his house for lunch - causing the trial of her karate teacher to be scrapped.

Talented schoolgirl Dana, 16, committed suicide months later by hanging herself near a busy roundabout after making a final cry for help on Facebook, pleading: ‘Lying here, trying to figure out what the hell I’m

Photograph with the caption: Tragic case: Dana Baker was 16 when she hanged herself while waiting for her abuser to be retried

Six months after her death, Dana’s pre-recorded video evidence meant the trial could be resumed and karate instructor Jaspal Riat, 48, was jailed for eight years for repeatedly abusing his pupil.

A jury heard how he had identified the teenager, who was in voluntary foster care, as a lonely child from a ‘vulnerable’ and unhappy family background, which he exploited for his own sexual purpose since she was just 13.

Riat was cleared of rape but found guilty of sexual assault and seven counts of sexual activity with a child at Gloucester Crown Court in September.

Photograph with the caption: Jailed: Jaspal Riat, 48, was sentenced to eight years at the subsequent retrial

But what the jury didn’t know was that Riat had appeared in Birmingham Crown Court in summer of 2010 when Mr Jones, a leading barrister on the Midlands’ circuit with 40 years’ experience, had opened the rape trial on behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service.

A day later, Judge Philip Parker QC discharged the jury after hearing of ‘vulnerable witness’ Dana’s two-and-a-half hour meeting at the prosecutor’s home.

Mr Jones, a barrister with No5 Chambers in Birmingham, insisted that the meeting, held a month before the trial started, was ‘well intentioned’ and was aimed at seeking to ‘avoid any problem with late video editing which might hold up the trial’.

Even so, he resigned from the Bar soon afterwards.

After the jury were asked to leave court, Judge Parker told the courtroom: ‘It is a very serious case, at its highest an allegation of rape of a young girl of 13 or 14 by a man in a position of trust.’

He said it was a misjudgement to ‘see a witness in such circumstances’, adding: ‘The long and short of it is that I do not believe that this jury can continue to consider this case.

‘I am afraid the result of my ruling is that the current jury will have to be discharged and we will have to seek a new potential date for the trial.’

Dana, of Kidderminster, Worcestershire, attended the meeting with her foster mother and a social worker.

It is understood that Mr Jones’ wife was also present.

By hosting the gathering, Mr Jones breached his own profession’s Code of Conduct because the Crown Prosecution Service was not notified, no police officer was in attendance and no notes were taken.

The rules stipulate that such a meeting could have been allowed under ‘special measures’, providing that no evidential matters were discussed.

Photograph with the caption: Sports star: Schoolgirl Dana represented her country at karate and was academically bright

But the barrister later admitted to the judge that Dana, who represented Great Britain in karate, had seen the transcripts of her video evidence and a ‘prosecution case summary’ which included a details of other witness evidence.

Judge Parker said: ‘He stresses that nothing actually to do with the evidence of the case or potential gaps in the evidence was discussed with her.

‘But in discussions with counsel and obviously in what Mr Jones has said, it is suggested that obviously discussions may have strayed in to the evidence, certainly in respect of provision of the notes or the seeing of case summary and so forth.’

A subsequent hearing took place two months later at which Riat’s defence team argued for the case against him to be thrown out on the grounds that there had been ‘an abuse of process’.

The application failed but Mr Jones resigned from the Bar the next day.

Photograph with the caption: Resigned: Prosecutor David Jones quit his Birmingham law firm after his legal blunder halted the trial

During the retrial in September, the court heard how Dana had become depressed when Riat had ended their relationship and she had previously taken an overdose.

She had also warned him that she intended to kill herself, to which he replied: ‘Thank you for sacrificing yourself for me.’

In addition to jailing him for eight years, Judge Jamie Tabor QC also put Riat on the sex offenders register for life and banned him from working with children.

He told him: ‘She was a particularly vulnerable child from a particularly vulnerable family. She was academically bright and excellent at karate.

‘However, she was deeply lonely and for reasons I need not go into she had a very unhappy relationship with her mother and father, who were, themselves vulnerable.

‘You exploited that. I have no doubt at all that you identified her as a vulnerable child and exploited your position of trust so you could satisfy your own sexual proclivities.

‘It went on until at least the spring of 2009. For several months you used her in a thoroughly selfish and, indeed, despicable manner.

‘I have no doubt at all that your behaviour was at least partially responsible for her attempted suicide.

‘I am quite satisfied that your behaviour just before the time of her attempted suicide was dishonourable and callous.

‘She was a virgin when you seduced her. Nine months later she had been introduced to almost every form of sexual activity by yourself.’

After the trial, her mother Patricia Baker, 40, said: ‘I hope that man rots in hell.'

Dana’s body was found by a passer-by, who tried to resuscitate her.

An inquest into her death was opened last autumn. A full hearing will be held later this month.

Mr Jones was first called to the bar in 1967. He was also a recorder at Warwick Crown Court.

In a statement, Tony McDaid practice director of No5 Chambers said: ‘Mr Jones joined us in 2006 and was a leading barrister on the Midlands’ circuit for 40 years.

‘What happened was a very unfortunate matter but Mr Jones had an exemplary record.’ He added that the Crown Prosecution Service had faith in Mr Jones’ judgment and advocacy skills, in giving him such a sensitive case.’

For confidential support call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 or visit a local Samaritans branch - see www.samaritans.org for details.]

Could it be argued, this tragic case is a very sad reminder that whilst so-called ‘Lawyers’ may believe they are ‘Infallible’

the facts are often a very sad reality that often so-called ‘Lawyers’ are so ‘Pig-Headed’ their mis-guided ‘words and actions; are sometimes very dangerous

such as ‘..Prosecutor David Jones breached strict legal guidelines on witness contact..’? J.F.

author by Joe Ferris - VLPSpublication date Wed Feb 08, 2012 00:05author email J.ferris3 at ntlworld dot comauthor address 14 Alanvale Crescent Kilfennan Estate L/Derry Northern Ireland BT47 5SJauthor phone 07715140648Report this post to the editors

In reply, I would be grateful for your comments?

Rate Your Solicitor and the NI/ROI ‘Cross – Border’ VLPS and positive statements from Finance minister Right Honourable Sammy Wilson, MP. MLA. 23rd August 2010

26 August 2010 - Wilson highlights need for independent regulation of legal profession

http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/news/news-dfp/news-df...d.htm date accessed Sunday 31st October 2010.

Finance Minister Sammy Wilson has stated his belief that the regulation of the legal profession in Northern Ireland is not consistent with best practice.

He was speaking after meeting with the “Victims of the Legal Profession Society”, a cross-border support organisation for individuals who have suffered at the hands of their lawyers.

The Minister welcomed the chance to speak with the body and listen to their concerns and said: “I have been hearing concerns from many of my constituents about the actions of their solicitors recently. Meeting with this group of individuals, who have bad experiences of their dealings with the legal profession, has crystallised in my mind the need for changes to be made to the way in which the legal profession is regulated.”

The Minister indicated that he shared some of the group’s concerns, in particular the view that there is currently a lack of independence in relation to the investigation of complaints made against solicitors. In recent months, the Minister has been considering the report presented to Government by the Legal Services Review Group, chaired by Professor Sir George Bain and the Minister indicated that while he believed the recommendations to be a step in the right direction, he had some reservations that they did not go far enough.

The Minister continued: “Responsibility for regulation of solicitors currently rests with my department; however this may transfer to my colleague, Justice Minister David Ford, in due course. I intend to recommend to him that he has a close look at Bain as I believe that we can do more to strengthen the existing system. Users of legal services should have access to a complaints system that is open, transparent and independent and I hope that any future legislation will reflect those aims.

“It cannot and must not be left to solicitors to regulate themselves. The complaints which I receive about the Law Society indicate that it is not giving the confidence required to those who feel they have been let down by their solicitors. Given that complaints have been made about the performance of one in five solicitors’ firms the current arrangements cannot be kept as they are.”]

[Call for new watchdog to regulate legal profession in North
Thursday, August 26, 2010 - 07:37 PM

http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/call-....html date accessed Monday 30th January 2012.

An independent watchdog with the power to strike off lawyers should be established in Northern Ireland, it was claimed today.

Self-regulation of the legal profession leaves clients frightened to take up complaints, a cross-border group called the Victims of the Legal Profession Society added.

Members met the North's Finance Minister Sammy Wilson earlier this month.

Spokesman Joe Ferris said: "I would like to see an independent body being established as a minimum because quite a number of people are frightened of solicitors."

A Legal Services Review Group chaired by Professor George Bain has produced recommendations on regulating lawyers. They include reforming the complaints handling system of the Law Society and the Bar Council, regulatory bodies, the creation of a Legal Services Oversight Commissioner and other measures on competition.

Mr Ferris, a nurse from Omagh, Co Tyrone, has had problems transferring land dating back 24 years. His group is based largely in Co Tyrone and Donegal and has 50-60 members.

"I would like to see an independent regulator similar to the Nursing and Midwifery Council where whenever a nurse is found guilty of a breach of trust the person is struck off," he added.

The Law Society said it had offered to meet Mr Wilson but received no response.

A spokesman added: "The president of the society has written to the minister today again offering to meet with him to discuss his concerns."

Mr Wilson said he had heard concerns from many constituents about the actions of their solicitors.

"Meeting with this group of individuals, who have bad experiences of their dealings with the legal profession, has crystallised in my mind the need for changes to be made to the way in which the legal profession is regulated," he said.

Regulation responsibility is to transfer from his department to Justice Minister David Ford.

"I intend to recommend to him that he has a close look at Bain as I believe that we can do more to strengthen the existing system," he added.

"Users of legal services should have access to a complaints system that is open, transparent and independent and I hope that any future legislation will reflect those aims.

"It cannot and must not be left to solicitors to regulate themselves. The complaints which I receive about the Law Society indicate that it is not giving the confidence required to those who feel they have been let down by their solicitors." ]

Could it be argued, so-called ‘Lawyers/Judges’ are one of the last ‘Bastions’ of an elite group of so-called professionals who are not accountable to the democratic mandate of the people?

Could it also be argued the above quote by Nelson Mandella, especially in the Northern Ireland context was also evident when the ‘RUC investigated complaints against the RUC’

the government of the Republic of Ireland and many so-called ‘Lawyers’ were adamant that it was ‘untennable’ for the ‘RUC to investigate the RUC’?

How is it not ‘untennable’ for ‘Lawyers to investigate Lawyers’?

The ‘free speech’ on the rate your solicitor website was the catalyst for the formation of the NI/ROI ‘Cross-Border’ VLPS sub group

and the meeting with Mr. Sammy Wilson and his subsequent ‘Pro-Bono’ statement for ‘positive change’ to the independent regulation of solicitors?

Is this not a powerful argument for the Rate Your Solicitor to be reinstated immediately? J.F.

author by Apublication date Wed Feb 08, 2012 01:32author address author phone Report this post to the editors

You can rate your solicitor on the Golden Pages website.

You have to register, but comments are unmoderated and immediately published.

Related Link: http://www.goldenpages.ie/solicitors/
author by Maw-guireypublication date Wed Feb 08, 2012 04:45author address author phone Report this post to the editors

If Survivor? is fighting an East Coaster since the 80's and said East Coaster still has a good practice in the area doing well by all accounts with mucho clients then me thinks it proves a point that lots of people hold the East Coaster in high esteem and still rely on his services and pay him good old cash for it. That being the truth of the matter isn't it time Survivor? just lay down and took his/her medicine and not hold such old warty grudges against someone just doin their job. Life is too short for such endless crapola.

author by Survivor - Victims of the Legal Profession .publication date Wed Feb 08, 2012 07:43author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Mag-uirey- in reply , the Liar has suffered a 25% drop in business , the Liar has suffered a Loss of 4 solicitors , the Liar is not to be trusted , the Liar is known the length & breadth of the County as 'the Liar' by his legal friends , the Liar is known as 'the Liar' by the Judiciary , the Liar is not welcome to attend the usual socially acceptable party's he was once invited , once a Liar always a Liar .

Survivor ( minus the ? ) has survived the Liar & the Liar is deeply upset by the Truthful comments posted in www.Rate-your-solicitor.com & in the website of a well known golf club , loaded with influential members .

the Client of the Liar chose not to put its face outside the hall door for a period of two (2) calender years due to the above Liar & failing interference by A.N.other ( P.) solicitor who both practice deceit with a cheque book .

source of information = my many solicitor friends in the East Coast town on the Island of Ireland who are pleased to report a rise in their business at the expense of the Liar .

author by W. Finnertypublication date Wed Feb 08, 2012 14:42author address author phone Report this post to the editors

While there is no doubt in my mind that some lawyers do cause individual clients of theirs enormous problems through criminal malpractice of one kind or another in connection with what for want of a better term I tend to think of as "normal crime", and without wishing to trivialise or distract from such crime in any way, my lengthy research suggests there is something close to infinitely worse than all of that going on just now inside the legal professions of several nations: and that it is rapidly growing worse and ever more dangerous at the present time, particularly in the United States of America and the United Kingdom. Ultimately, if this worrying trend is not soon halted, a thermonuclear war in the Middle East could be on the cards at literally any moment now (I believe); and, once started, it could very rapidly spread to a WW3 conflict involving (among others) the USA, Russia, and China.

I'm referring to the general and often highly surreptitious support -- both by deed and by omission -- which the legal professions of several countries (including the Republic of Ireland) are providing for outrageous and extremely serious forms of government crime, which frequently involves straightforward, obvious and blatant violations of constitutional and international law.

An example of what I mean -- which involves ongoing support by the legal professions of several nations for "debt-based fractional reserve lending" by banks, and the closely related "derivatives gambling" which often seems to operate hand-in-hand with such "fractional reserve lending" these days, can be viewed in the contents of an e-mail I sent this morning to a number of senior lawyers and politicians in the UK. A copy of the contents of the e-mail in question have been placed at the following Internet address:
http://www.humanrightsireland.com/BritishMonarchy/8Febr...tives

author by Survivor - Victims of the Legal Profession .publication date Wed Feb 08, 2012 15:39author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Master of the High Court
Mr. Edmund Honohan, S.C.

Judges of the Circuit Court
[incl. the circuit to which they are assigned]
The Hon. Mr. Justice Matthew Deery, President of the Circuit Court [Dublin]
The Hon. Mr. Justice Esmond Smyth [Dublin]
His Honour Judge Patrick Joseph Moran [Cork]
Her Honour Judge Alison Lindsay [Dublin]
His Honour Judge Raymond Groarke [Western]
His Honour Judge Joseph Matthews [Dublin]
His Honour Judge Patrick John McCartan [Dublin]
His Honour Judge Carroll Moran [South Western]
Her Honour Judge Jacqueline Linnane [Dublin]
His Honour Judge John D. O'Hagan [Northern]
Her Honour Judge Yvonne Murphy [Dublin]
His Honour Judge Desmond Hogan [unassigned]
His Honour Judge Michael O'Shea [Eastern]
His Honour Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin [Cork]
Her Honour Judge Katherine Delahunt [Dublin]
His Honour Judge Alan Mahon [assigned to Mahon tribunal]
Her Honour Judge Mary Faherty [assigned to Mahon tribunal]
His Honour Judge Gerald Keys [assigned to Mahon tribunal]
Her Honour Judge Patricia Ryan [Dublin]
His Honour Judge James O'Donohoe [unassigned]
Her Honour Judge Alice Doyle [unassigned]
Her Honour Judge Doirbhile Flanagan [unassigned]
His Honour Judge Donagh Mc Donagh [unassigned]
His Honour Judge Terence O'Sullivan [unassigned]
His Honour Judge Thomas Teehan [unassigned]
His Honour Judge Anthony G. Hunt [unassigned]
His Honour Judge Rory P. MacCabe [unassigned]
His Honour Judge Martin E. Nolan [unassigned]
His Honour Judge Gerard Griffin [unassigned]
Her Honour Judge Petria Mc Donnell [unassigned]
His Honour Judge Raymond Fullam [unassigned]
Her Honour Judge Margaret Heneghan [Dublin]
Her Honour Judge Leonie Reynolds [unassigned]
His Honour Judge Thomas E. O'Donnell [unassigned]
vacancy x 4

THe Master of the High Court, Mr Edmund Honohan S.C,said recently , ''Most solicitors have only a nodding aquaintance with The Truth '' ;

author by in replypublication date Wed Feb 08, 2012 19:33author address author phone Report this post to the editors

joe ferris - i don't think that is a powerful argument to have the site reinstated. the case was brought because a person was seriously defamed. the operators appeared in court, refused to take down the offending material and practically gave two fingers to the court in terms of giving assurances that no further defamatory material would be published. what was the judge supposed to do in the circumstances?

when you think about it, from the site operators point of view, shutting down the site was a good thing. it means that the plaintiffs damages are not increasing the longer the defamatory material is out there online.

i think your beef is ultimately with the site operators. had they acted in a reasonable manner by (at a minimum) removing the material, you might still have your site. they didn't, so you don't.

consider the following though. when the plaintiffs are furnish with the details of the bloggers who wrote those comments, (and they will be unless the operators are prepared to do jail time for contempt to cover those misdeeds), i wonder whether the site operators could sue those bloggers or whether those bloggers can counter-sue for misrepresentation that they could rip loose on solicitors without comeback?

irony is that you may need to have lightening quick vision to catch a glance of the operators running for the protection of the courts when various people come knocking on their doors with judgments in tow.

author by Survivor - Victims of the Legal Profession .publication date Wed Feb 08, 2012 21:12author address author phone Report this post to the editors

The Liar can sue me for telling the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth , the Liar can bring it on , but i have a funny feeling he wont , bring it on .

author by Maw-guireypublication date Wed Feb 08, 2012 21:47author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Firstly the facts should be right. A real 'survivor' is a person who truly survives, moves on with their life (after an injustice - caused by the legal profession or otherwise) and makes a good life for themselves in spite of everything.

Me thinks you are not a true survivor? if one remains in a time warp from 80's blaming all others (including the legal profession i.e. solicitors) for your own shortcomings and mistakes in life that your solicitor could not resolve by way of a miracle in a case you were cock sure you would win against the oppositions wiley well known and much respected community solicitor acting for the other side and their rights.

When you lost that case and have never moved on you have wasted your life on a useless vendetta against the oppositions legal professional trying to extract revenge from them for winning a case. Me thinks that is futile as the years have proved the solicitor is still practising - if he was at fault in any way he would have been out of the profession long ago while you continue to waste your life in a pointless endless vendetta that everybody can see bar you.

When you can't move on me thinks you are just existing and definitely not a survivor? as they move on put past behind them don't go towards the grave wasting each breath on a misjudged lost cause.

Me thinks you can't even get a name right Maw-guirey so what other facts have been greatly distorted in the so called crusade against the legal profession in so many years.

That is why ye have not moved on one jot from your position of the 80s. Ye have a distorted view of said Solicitor that is untrue because he made you the "loser" of the case that you cannot accept. Truth is stranger than fiction and truth has it that a good Solicitor remains practising helping local East Coast clieints for eons. People put their trust in him because he wins the cases that should be won including obviously yours that ye lost against him.

author by Survivor - Victims of the Legal Profession .publication date Wed Feb 08, 2012 22:35author address author phone Report this post to the editors

I think 'Me thinks' is a Loser , if 'Me thinks' that i think 'Me thinks' forgets that I think the Liar has '' gotten away with IT'' then i think that 'Me thinks' the Lair has another Think coming , all the Liar need do is take Survivor to Court & let the Liar stand before his Betters on the Bench and see what 'they' think of the Liar, who has put the Liar himself into the precarious position the Liar has placed himself in today , Survivor does Not forget how a 'simple separation' could have manifested itself into the History Books & www.Rate-your-solicitor.com & the Golf Club website to name but a few address's the Liar has ventured into all because the Liar ignored his Betters on the Bench of Justice discarding all before the Liar himself went crawling to Survivor to ask Survivor to return 'HOME' , with the Liar knowingly hiding the Liars Lies of which the Liar is now regretting to this very day . Survivor has earned his Title , the Liar has earned his Title , and we await further 'pleadings' from the Liar through 'Me thinks' and 'in reply' ....God afternoon , good evening & good night .

author by W. Finnertypublication date Thu Feb 09, 2012 15:08author address author phone Report this post to the editors

"The list of 64 firms includes some of the largest and best-known in the State. Sligo firms, Callan Tansey and Hegarty Armstrong have been appointed to the prestigious post."

"Pictured: Damien Tansey and Christopher Callan of Callan Tansey Solicitors who were appointed to the NAMA legal advisors panel."

The above excerpts have come from the following location:
http://www.sligotoday.ie/details.php?id=7540

Related Link: http://www.humanrightsireland.com/ECFR/9February2012/Email.htm
author by Survivor - Victims of the Legal Profession .publication date Thu Feb 09, 2012 19:51author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Thanks for the link Mr Finnerty , always nice to keep abreast of members to N.A.M.A.

author by Let go..... - Building a bridgepublication date Thu Feb 09, 2012 22:41author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Survivor? Let go for the sake of me aul friend Joe.....

author by Maw-guireypublication date Fri Feb 10, 2012 00:35author address author phone Report this post to the editors

One firm of East Coast Solicitors have rarely ever had to advertise their services because since the 80's the good ole Survivor? has got them so much publicity that he has saved them quite a fortune.

When all the locals in Wicklow region read the local papers and see the Solicitors are doing a roaring trade in the local Courts week after week they know the firm to hire to get their job in Court done. They know that if the firm of Solicitors are in such demand, thanks to the endless publicity coming from the Survivor? and the public are still happy to rely on them for their court cases then the firm has got to be doing something right to keep their business booming.

All the publicity has brought lots of business to the East Coast Solicitor's door so that he has become the true SURVIVOR no barrage of abuse from a sad misguided soul has hurt him and he carries on his legal profession as he has always done with pride in his good name and service to the community.

He must take a wee dram of whiskey each night and toast survivor? for all the time and effort he has put into the publicity that has kept him and his family cosy in their nice big house and counting the savings he has made on advertising all those endless years.

Survivor? dont quit now - what would I do without your advertising my services.

author by Let gopublication date Fri Feb 10, 2012 01:00author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Dad toast's you every night "old codger".

Let go
Let go

author by W. Finnertypublication date Fri Feb 10, 2012 10:42author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Some readers might be interested to note that, apart from formally abandoning (in mid-2008) their criminally abusive and injurious attempts to corruptly criminalise me -- for attempting to draw public attention to Republic of Ireland legislation I had good reason to believe was unconstitutional, and consequently unlawful -- all of the extremely serious Constitutional (i.e. Bunreacht na hEireann) criminal issues I related via the Indymedia (Ireland) comments I made in 2006 at the addresses provided below, continue to be completely ignored (as far as I am aware) by the entire legal profession of the Republic of Ireland.

"To Senior Council" (dated Sun Oct 15, 2006 00:04):
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/78846&comment_limit=0&c...71701

"The 'keystone' of corruption" (dated Mon Oct 16, 2006 10:13
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/78846&comment_limit=0&c...71788

For those who might not be aware of the fact, Bunreacht na hEireann is the Supreme Law of the Republic of Ireland.

Related Link: http://www.humanrightsireland.com/BarristerJohnGlynn/30June2010/Meeting.htm
author by Survivor?publication date Fri Feb 10, 2012 21:57author address author phone Report this post to the editors

.....

author by Maw-guireypublication date Sat Feb 11, 2012 01:10author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Those of us on the east coast are blessed by the fact that we have a law firm that specialises in family law and Collaborative law.

We have one firm of local Solicitors to thank for that. They have a great reputation so we count ourselves really lucky to be able to avail of their expert services.

Many families have benefitted because of them in sorting out their differences.

If you find a good Solictor then stick with him or her. They are worth their weight in gold.

author by Maw fan - fanny maypublication date Sat Feb 11, 2012 01:21author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Agree with last comment-the east coasters get rid of the bullies out of people's lives and support family re-building. Thank you Maw. Do not mind the comments of a so caller survivor ( we got him off rys and he is gone).

author by Survivor - Victims of the Legal Profession .publication date Sat Feb 11, 2012 11:10author address author phone Report this post to the editors

The Liar is indeed striving to gain clients and has turned to collaboRATive law in his quest for redemption , too little too late , once a Liar always a Liar ........Always.........a Liar ..........

author by wageslavepublication date Sat Feb 11, 2012 11:36author address author phone Report this post to the editors

[ NOTE FROM MODERATOR: ]

This site does not exist to assist in personal vendetta or slander and trying to use it for such purposes is an affront to other genuine users.
Please start your own blog for such purposes if you must

Number of comments per page
  
locked We are currently not accepting any more comments on this article.
 
© 2001-2024 Independent Media Centre Ireland. Unless otherwise stated by the author, all content is free for non-commercial reuse, reprint, and rebroadcast, on the net and elsewhere. Opinions are those of the contributors and are not necessarily endorsed by Independent Media Centre Ireland. Disclaimer | Privacy